Genki Japanese & Sushi Restaurant of Wilmington NC

I had lunch here for the first time yesterday. Walking into the restaurant, I felt like I was back in Japan. The place has a traditional Japanese vibe with chef and staff shouting out, "Irasshaimase!" Welcome! Japanese music is in the background. The sushi bar was a great place to sit, as I like to watch the sushi chef work his magic in forming and creating beautiful dishes with the fresh seafood. There is a sign at the bar stating that it could take time to get an order out if there's only one chef. That was the case yesterday. I didn't mind at all, as I knew, based on the food I saw, I would be getting top quality, fresh sushi. And I did! I ordered the sashimi lunch ($21.50), which included a side. I selected the kimchee. The kimchee was delicious! I was given a small plate of edamame, which was marinate in some sort of sauce. Very tasty. The sashimi plate had 12 pieces, which I ate all of it! My favorite was the salmon and octopus. It came with a side of white rice. Service by Sophia was very nice. She was attentive. From what I could see, everyone was friendly and seemed to enjoy their job. When I got the bill, there was a charge for "Non-cash adjustment" in the amount of $0.86. I was paying in cash and was told it would be removed. The updated bill showed -$0.83 but still had the $0.86, which was not removed. Even at the bottom, it states, "We offer a cash discount." Oh well. Overall, a great place for lunch in an authentic Japanese atmosphere.

Stopped by for a quick lunch and it absolutely hit the spot. The sushi was fresh, flavorful, and came out fast. I loved the consistency of every roll — super clean presentation and great taste. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the whole experience felt easy and enjoyable. Definitely one of the better casual sushi spots around. Highly recommend!

We wanted Sushi and the search took us to Genki and we couldn't be happier! Chef Dan is so talented in what he does and putting all the right flavors together for that magical taste! He even makes his own soy sauce (we bought a pint). Arigato!

Our first time at Genki in Wilmington and we were blown away by the atmosphere and the food. The restaurant is cozy and comfortable with a relaxed vibe. We highly recommend the Black Cod Miso soup and the Salmon Croquettes. The sushi was really good as well! The place seems to be always busy, so make sure to reserve a table before heading that way. We will definitely return soon!

Just had an incredible meal at Genki Sushi in Wilmington! The fish tasted unbelievably fresh, the roll was crafted with such care, and I could take a bath in their homemade soy sauce. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients. Definitely a must-try for sushi lovers in the area!

Absolutely delicious! Recommend reservations, tho we were able to be seated. The age dashi tofu was incredible! Even if you’re not a tofu fan, you must try it. Sauces and flavors very authentic tasting. The sushi was fresh and like butter. Homemade caramel candy given ant the end. Absolutely recommend!

Tonight we hooked up with our friends after several months and celebrated at Genki Sushi and Japanese Restaurant! Seafood Cream Croquettes, Edamame, Obento and Sashimi and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc ! Fun time and great food! Our server Kyle was very good and explained everything to us!

My boyfriend and I went to dinner today. He has lived in Japan before and absolutely loves the food at Genki. I was very impressed by our entire experience and the staff was very professional. The quality of food and selection is excellent. It’s heart warming to see how much the family that owns the restaurant truly cares about their customers. I highly recommend dining here and I’m looking forward to going back!

Staff was very pleasant and efficient. Food was outstanding. I usually don't like most fish ("why go to a sushi place" you ask. They have more than just sushi). I tried my wife's and it was excellent. Also, best Egg Drop Soup I've had

Some of the best sushi we have ever had and we are from Los Angeles where we get amazing sushi. Their yellowtail is always superb. If you get a roll that contains crab, upgrade to the "real" snow crab... It is worth it. The service is excellent with genuinely happy people. What I love the best is that you get traditional sushi and interesting rolls. The King Roll with "real" crab is perfection. They also have items that are hard to find at most sushi houses: Bluefin, Toro, cheek (Salmon & Yellowtail), and Monk Fish liver (Ohh how I wish they would make a pate out of that on some tempura seaweed or crispy rice!) We come here whenever we are in Wilmington. It makes us want to live here!

Genki is an all around fantastic dining experience. They do so many little things to make your evening feel special that most restaurants these days simply do not do, such as the hot towels before your meal, delicious edamame and seaweed snack before your meal and appetizers, to their little candies given out with the bill. I have eaten here multiple times and each time was equally impressed with the quality of the sushi. Everything is incredibly fresh and well assembled. I enjoy sitting at the bar and watching Chef Danny assemble all of the sushi, but there are booths and a few tables as well. They can get busy pretty quickly so I would suggest reservations if you are planning to go. They also have a great selection of other Japanese dishes besides sushi such as hand made gyoza and tonkatsu.

Great food and service. Tofu was amazing, great quality sushi and the caramels at the end too

Treated myself to dinner after my flight was canceled on a Friday evening. There is a parking lot outside. I came around 7 pm and had to wait ~5-10 minutes for a seat at the bar. The menu has an array of appetizers, sushi and other appetizers. The waiters were all very nice and attentive. The inside was nice but a little small. I waited a decent amount of time for my food to come out. I ordered a Philadelphia roll and a special of the week roll. It was yummy! The ingredients felt fresh. A little bit pricier. The edamame that came out before hand was fun! Overall a nice meal.

Best sushi in Wilmington by far! You need reservations. Plan to spend a lot but you will leave full and happy. Attentive waitstaff. Small restaurant in a stripe mall but the food will make you forget where you are

Better hours. I hear you are a great sushi experience. But, 2x now I get there and you are either closed or just closed. Put your operating hours on your website in plain view!

Genki is my favorite sushi restaurant in the Wilmington/ILM area. I've been here a handful of times, and it never disappoints! I continue to stand behind my claim that Genki is a hidden gem. If you're in the Wilmington area, and want to experience the BEST SUSHI then Genki is your restaurant! Pictured is tako nigiri "Octopus," Matt specialty roll, Fire in the hole, The Firecracker, Spicy tuna roll, and some white peach saké! My previous rating still stands, but they are really close to ALL 5 stars! Atmosphere 4 stars - Service 5 stars - Food 5 stars - Value for your money 5 stars. Overall I would give Genki 4.5 stars. The sushi & specialty rolls are a definite 5 stars. If you are from or visiting the Wilmington, NC area and want sushi then definitely checkout Genki!

The egg roll was bland and tasted burnt. I give it a 2.5/5 stars. I got the spicy tuna roll with cucumber and no wasabi ( I made my own). I'm glad they let you create/edit any of the rolls on the menu. This roll was delicious, the tuna had an amazing, rich and fresh flavor. The cucumber was good, but too crunchy. It was one big chunk of cucumber, and I wished they would have skinned it and chopped it into smaller pieces. Overall, I give the roll a 4/5 stars. I also got the shrimp tempura roll. This roll had a great flavor. The only bad thing was the rice was overcooked and too warm/soft, making it not as refreshing. Overall, I rate this rate a 3.5/5. The candies they give you at the end are very delicious! Don't be feared by their appearance. They are my favorite part of the dinner, 5/5 stars!! The service was great even during busy dinner hour. I rate my overall dinner and experience a 3/5. A solid choice, but a bit pricey and bland for what you get.

Love this place! The sushi is fresh and extremely tasty, ordering is fast and easy, and the staff is very nice. I had the egg drop soup, tuna sashimi, eel sashimi, salmon sushi, white tuna sashimi, and a shrimp tempura roll. It was all absolutely delicious!

This is without a doubt, the BEST sushi in Wilmington. Chef Danny and his lovely wife run a perfect little sushi joint. Expect a long wait if you do not make a reservation. Pro tip: order the Lotus Roll as an appetizer. Then, keep the dish it comes in and dip your sushi, sashimi, or nigiri in this delicious sauce.

Food was great. I got the Beef Curry for lunch. And it was really filling and delicious.

The family has been dining at Genki for special occasions for years! My favorite food is sushi, and this is our go-to place in Wilmington. I don't order sushi at any other place in Wilmington because it just doesn't compare to Genki. I still have some local Japanese restaurants to give a try though. Last night, the experience was great as usual. The service is attentive but not overbearing--you feel like part of the family. They bring complimentary hijiki salad (amazing umami and unique) and warm hand towels. The storefront is in a strip mall, and the inside is small, so find a reservation! It is never too loud in there because of this! Some of our favorites: Yellowtail nigiri - melts in your mouth and perfect flavor Smelt roe nigiri w/ quail egg yolk on top - don't knock it until you try it Eel avocado and/or cucumber roll - perfect flavor and tender eel Tuna tempura roll - tekka maki roll but upgraded Gyozas - pork tastes like mushroom goodness and veggie is very flavorful The price tag after all of this sushi is hefty, and you may not be full if you go the sushi-only route. We only go for special occasions, but the sushi is delectable. It is definitely the place to go if you want the highest quality Japanese!

Love this place. Everything is dialed in. If you want a great experience, relax, take your time, and enjoy. Thanks for being in our town!

I had the lunch special sashimi with egg drop soup. The sashimi special came with salmon, octopus, tuna, red snapper, albacore tuna, and surf clam. My favorite was the salmon, shrimp, octopus, and red snapper. Surf clam was bland and the tuna was okay. 4/5. Egg drop soup was hot and flavorful. Would recommend as a side. 5/5. Service was great. Servers were attentive.

Had lunch today for the first time. Place was nearly packed at 1145am. Great sign. Food was delicious, quick, and the service was great. I will hesitate to go again, only because I found it more expensive than expected. Edamame, Rainbow Roll, and Avocado Roll...$30 before tip. Again the food was tasty; I just usually look for a touch cheaper spot.

Intimate location always packed. Make sure to get the spicy edamame. The sushi is very good but the service is unbelievable. Been here multiple times and the service is what stands out. Every single person that works there treats you as if you are their only table they are helping even if they are just walking past you. Love this place

This place is amazing. The servers are very attentive and friendly. Every sushi roll I had was made fresh and was so good! I will admit the close quarters means it can get pretty loud and filled up quick. I would heavily recommend a reservation especially on the weekends.

Was really excited to find they had uni. Unfortunately I was left disappointed. The wasabi completely overpowered the taste of the fish. I would definitely ask for wasabi on the side rather than traditional if you want the fish to be the star of the plate. And for $10 for a piece of uni, I wished I could taste the actual uni as I'm sure it was delectable, but all I could taste was wasabi. The eel and avocado roll was good. Edit: I did miss the portion at the top of the menu about the wasabi, I was more focused on the actual food options. Perhaps have staff ask if customers have been there before and if not, verbally let them know

This place is wonderful! It is the best Japanese food we have had since moving back to the US; so the bar is high! They are always so busy and it is well deserved. Not only is the ambiance and food authentic, made in house by trained Japanese chefs, but also the wait staff are all so kind and attentive. The entire experience from the moment you walk in the door is so very Japanese and fantastic! It really makes us feel like we are back to the years we spent living in Japan, it is absolutely a new favorite. If you love Japanese food/culture, I highly recommend! ‍ We particularly liked the miso soup, the sashimi dinner, the gyoza and bang bang shrimp.

Back again and again very impressed. Started with the deluxe sushi combo as well as assorted pieces of nigiri. The combo had the usual assortment you would find of nigiri (salmon, shrimp, hamachi,etc) plus a tuna roll. All fresh and tasty. In addition we ordered the surf clam, uni and conch. All good except the conch taste and texture not what I was expecting. Conch has a firm, chewy texture like octopus. This I think was over chopped which took away from that texture. The taste certainly wasn't bad just not what I was expecting. Service friendly and efficient. The ambiance is what I would expect from a sushi place small, low background Japanese string music and light wood tones. It's not a place where you would go to have a long dinner with multiple courses. But, it is arguably the best sushi in Wilmington.

PHENOMENAL!! Some of the best sushi I've had in the state. Not only is the quality and presentation remarkable, but THE SERVICE is impeccable. Everybody works together and has such a good attitude. I felt very taken care of and wish I lived here to come every week! But I will be back with friends! Also, they put scallion in their Philly roll and it has forever changed my life.

We had been missing authentic fresh sushi but finally found our "goto" sushi place. Fresh fabulous and delicious. Go on Thursdays when they receive their weekly shipments for the best selection and make a reservation. They fill up quickly.

We went here and the lady put us on the list and said it would be about 30 minutes. So we waited and waited. A hour went by and as I walked in to ask how much longer it would be there was this big cock roach crawling across the floor. Once I saw that I just turned around and left we didn't even want to eat there after that!!. We went some place else !! +

My husband and I tend to be pretty picky about sushi. We've tried most sushi establishments in Wilmington and none of them can even hold a candle to Genki. Without a doubt, Genki is some of the best sushi we've ever had. The service is absolutely wonderful. It is owned by a husband & wife and is run with the help of their kids and other family members. Everyone is always so kind & polite and we have never had an issue. The restaurant is smaller, but with good reason! The sushi is always extremely high quality and more importantly, it always tastes THE SAME. It always tastes just as good as the time before and it is nearly perfect. Our favorite roll has to be the firecracker roll; we also love the salmon nigiri. We will always continue coming back to Genki any time we're craving sushi! P.S. It is 100% worth it to download the Open Table app in order to make reservations here! I wouldn't stop by without a reservation since they tend to be pretty busy!

I was craving sushi rolls and heard great things about Genki. So glad we came in. They suggested reservations but we went without and got their last available table at 6:30pm on a Wednesday. It's a very small place. The staff was friendly and had great teamwork so that our waitress and others checked in with us frequently. We got a hot sake to start and ordered a handful of rolls. The menu didn't give descriptions of every roll but when I asked the waitress about cucumber she replied that she made a note for the chefs to not include. I really appreciated that. Another nice touch was the hot towels before. Also, the small ramekin of edamame and seaweed was good that came with the rolls. The fish on the rolls were fresh and were a good mix of rice, sauce and fish! We enjoyed the rolls, sake and beer, and will be back to try more!

Toro and bluefin heaven. my go to place and would not eat sushi anywhere else in wilmington

Waaaay overpriced for everything. Skimp on the fish in sushi. All rice. Oh and they pass on the 3% for using a credit card.

Fantastic fresh sushi! I cannot remember ever having sushi where the fish was so delicate in flavor and texture. We were lucky to get dinner reservations last minute for two that had us at the sushi bar. A little cramped but worth it to watch the skilled chefs at work. The service was also spot on. We will definitely return when in the area!

This place has been on the to do list forever and we finally went by for dinner on a Saturday night. The strip mall location and the ambiance of the restaurant were fine, but the food was pretty good. I started with the seaweed salad and my husband had the miso soup. They brought around samples of the hijiki seaweed salad as well; that was very good. We had an order or pork gyoza, and then shared a spicy tuna roll, Philadelphia roll, spider roll, and firecracker roll. The rolls were all good. I could see us grabbing takeout from here on the way home in the future, but are pretty unlikely to dine in again soon. Overall it was an enjoyable meal.

Outstanding in every respect. Authentic Japanese cuisine as good as you will find in any major city. The fish is always fresh. Very clean with attentive and helpful waitstaff. The owners really seem to care about the dining experience and quality.

We went twice in December with family. Service was great, even though we brought a 3 year old terror, who spent her time under the table. I always get the chirashi and it was amazing both times, so fresh and generous. My daughter thought the white rice was perfect, she even ate some!

Raw fish heaven for those that love real sushi. My husband enjoyed his teriyaki chicken and fire cracker roll. Expect a wait for your sushi creation especially on weekends. Sushi ninjas only can make so many in a minute. Great service. Down to earth atmosphere.

The sushi was very loosely wrapped and hard to eat with chopsticks. Although the service was great, the food is lacking

WOW WOW WOW! What an amazing sushi gem! We discovered this place by accident and upon seeing its good ratings, we decided to try it out. We came in on a Friday night and they were pretty busy. The place is significantly small so it can get busy fast, but to our surprise they do take reservations. We sat at the sushi bar and felt very comfortable as we had plenty of space between us and other guests. We tried several items on their menu and all of them were just wonderful. However, our absolute favorites were the lobster roll and the blue fin tuna tartare. The service was very welcoming and friendly, from the second we walked in, the host (who seemed to be the owner) was genuinely happy to welcome us in, and the servers were also very friendly and attentive. We were very pleased to have discovered this wonderful place and we cannot wait to be back!!

This is the best food I ever had. We had sushi and spring rolls and they were incredible. This place deserves every bit of 5 stars.

This is a small hidden treasure for authentic Japanese culture & cuisine. The sushi is in a class of its own. The texture, preparation & presentation is very satisfying and the flavors are pronounced very well. The staff were welcoming and accommodating with excellent recommendations.

This is hands down the best sushi in Wilmington. The fish is fresh, service is excellent and truly enjoyable to go to. Highly recommend if you're grazing sushi!

Better than average sushi with a side of Covid to go! Decided to take everyone's advise and give Genki a shot since my go place for sushi in Wilmington closed down. Their sushi was pretty good but sadly their blatant disregard for any and all safety precautions will keep my from coming back. The online ordering process is fantastic. I love how you can customize the rolls by adding and subtracting ingredients this is the best ordering portal I've seen. 5 on this one guys. The Sushi: We ordered 4 rolls to go and all were crammed into one container making them impossible to get out and plate without them falling apart. The spicy tuna roll was great and they use chunks of tuna instead of purée that you often see. You can actually taste the fish and not just the sauce. The three other rolls we all really good and not drowning in sauce which I definitely appreciate. All too often we are served the giant rolls smothered in overly sweet or spicy sauce so we'll done here Genki. I was super excited what they offers fresh Wasabi for $3 extra but was disappointed when I got a container of the same neon green stuff that comes with the rolls. As per usual I orders a side of chicken friend rice because I'm on the search for the perfect CFR which I had only once in Cincinnati and been seeking ever since. It wasn't bad here but nothing special but this is a sushi joint so I'd rather the sushi be quality. It really is unfortunate that they have this politically driven stance on masking and distancing. The restaurant is packed wall to wall with people, most of the employees and chef's are not wearing masks. It's just irresponsible. As a trauma RN I can save your live wearing 2 masks, plastic gown, face shield etc you can put a mask on making sushi....

Wife and I did a date night here from out of town. Great environment. Service was good. They take reservations and it seems that is needed, however we did not have any and didn't feel slighted. They got us a good spot. Menu is good and great choices. We did the teriyaki chicken, real California roll, snow crab, and the chefs special roll. All perfect. Will come back next time in town.

very authentic sushi. they have some items i had not seen anywhere in ILM. the husband and wife that run this joint are also very welcoming as is the rest of the staff. all of the sushi i have tried has been good. definitely check this place out.

Very fresh and sushi and sashimi. My husband enjoyed his chirashi bowl immensely. Teriyaki chicken was also very tasty.Quality ingredients!. Highly recommend

What a great little place in Wilmington. The Sushi was fresh and very tasty. The special rolls were a treat. Trying to find great sushi in Southport is disasterous. We were spoiled when we lived up north. FINALLY, found a place that is of the same quality and service. We now have a new go to place.

AMAZING sushi! Great Service by Sophia. This is the best sushi I have ever had. Amazing preparation and such care was given to our complicated order. Sophia took care of us with first class service, nothing was too much to ask. If you are close to the area, put this on your list of places to eat. We will be back! Thank you so much for the excellent food and service.

The ambiance was very clean, nicely decorated in an authentic Japanese style. Our waiter patiently answered all of our questions and was friendly and quite knowledgeable. The miso soup my husband ordered was a good temperature and he said it was really good. My eggdrop soup was tasty and a good temperature. The sushi and sashimi were very fresh, beautifully presented and tasty. This restaurant is health-conscious-- no msg. The menu is extensive as well. Food came quickly after ordering. The red bean ice cream was a delightful end to a wonderful meal. Topping it all off were the chef's complimentary homemade pieces of fudge. What a lovely experience!

I do not know how this place has good reviews. When I walked in the place wreaked of fish, and I have eaten a lot of sushi, never smelled that before. We got a table right away and then saw a few other couples get seated. I know places are short staffed so we were patient, but after waiting 20 minutes and seeing all four couples who were sat after us being waited on, we decided to leave. Ridiculous. Should have known by that smell it wasn't going to be a good experience.

The food and the service are great! The best sushi in Wilmington. It's a small space but the sushi chefs are entertaining.

Fantastic food & service!! If you're looking for an authentic, cozy, high-quality sushi spot, Genki goes above & beyond! I was served by Adam & Jace, who both made my experience feel welcoming & fun. My sushi was absolutely top notch, and the Burikama was fantastic! (I hear the Burikama sells out quick, so no promises if they have it in stock when you arrive!) I will absolutely return again the next time I'm in Wilmington. Arigato!

Best sushi I have had since trips to Japan! This has to be one of the best in Carolinas - and at a reasonable price. Friendly and attentive service despite the place being crowded (as a single I bagged a counter seat right away but recommend reservations). Yo! A big shoutout to the sushi chefs from 福建! The Matcha ice cream was also exceptional.